Regional Briefs – May 16, 2016

One Of New Jersey’s Oldest Newspapers Getting New Ownership

NEWTON, N.J. (AP) — A northwestern New Jersey newspaper in operation since 1829 will soon have new ownership.

Quincy Media announced Thursday that it’s selling the New Jersey Herald to Pittsford, New York-based GateHouse Media. A sale price was not disclosed, and the deal doesn’t include the newspaper’s building in Newton, which will be sold separately.

Comptroller: New York State Pension Fund Tops $210B

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The state comptroller says the New York State Common Retirement Fund has topped $210 billion after an estimated 5.2% return on investments.

Democrat Thomas DiNapoli says Thursday that the fund closed the state fiscal year that ended March 31 with an estimated value of $210.2 billion, an amount that could change when returns are fully audited.

The pension fund’s value at the end of the state’s 2018 fiscal year was $207.4 billion.

186 Alcohol Sellers Charged In Underage Drinking Crackdown

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — More than 180 establishments holding New York state liquor licenses have been charged with serving minors during last month’s statewide crackdown on underage drinking.

That’s according to state officials who say April’s monthlong enforcement effort resulted in charges being filed against 186 out of the 851 bars, restaurants, liquor stores and grocery stores in 46 counties that were visited by underage decoys working with investigators.